Did you know that more than half of the world’s population are pet owners? That’s a lot of people taking care of cats, dogs, and other animals every single day. Their biggest responsibility is looking after the health and wellbeing of their furry family members, like me! Obviously, taking care of a pet means providing them with food, shelter, and toys. But it really does involve a whole lot more.

A pet parent must have the highest level of dedication and be truly responsible. Just like humans, we animals need to be cared for medically by a qualified professional. The biggest challenge in providing medical care for a pet is that they cannot just tell you what is wrong, making it even that much more important to choose the best vet.

Choosing the best vet can be a bit of a challenge, too. The most obvious place to start is with a simple search. You’ll get immediate options along with ratings and testimonials of other pet parents who have taken their furry family members to the veterinarian practice.

But you don’t want just any vet, since not all vets are able to meet the specific needs, expectations, and medical requirements of your pet. You will need to choose a vet who understands your pet and their unique needs and can meet those medical needs. Let’s talk about how to choose the best vet for your pets.

What to Look for in Your Pet’s Best Vet

There’s a way to help you choose the best vet, and one who will give them the care and love they deserve. Think about how you chose a pediatrician for your human child. You looked for a doctor wo was an expert at providing care for children. Your furry family members deserve a vet who will understand and meet their medical needs in the same way.

The best vet will have a wide range of veterinary experience and expert skills across the board. They should hold the right kinds of medical degrees and be up on the latest treatment options and medical technology available.

One of the non-medical characteristics of the best vet for your furry family members is their love of animals. If they have terrible animal manners, their medical experience really means nothing. This is something that is very noticeable and very off putting.

Vets should know how to communicate with your pet, but they also should be good at communicating with humans. You’ll want them to be able to explain dietary needs, grooming best practices, medication, rest, exercise, and lots of other aspects of care to you clearly. A vet will be able to set up a vaccination schedule for your pet and they will know how to treat or prevent common conditions like ear infections.

Tips for Choosing the Best Vet

Choosing the right veterinarian is a life-and-death decision for a pet. That may sound a bit extreme but imagine if your pet had a seizure or a serious allergic reaction. You don’t want to have to choose a vet while you are in a state of panic. Choosing the wrong vet in panic mode could mean the decline or even death of your furry family member, if the vet wasn’t experienced or knowledgeable enough. Choosing the best vet is critical to the proper care of your beloved pet. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best vet for your pet.

The Veterinary Office Location

When you do your online research, make a list of the vet clinics near you. Based on the distance you will be willing to travel, filter out the veterinarians that have poor reviews or testimonials. You should be left with a few vet clinics that are near you.

You may find the closest, “good” vet and they may do a good job of treating your furry family members. But if you can find a “great” one – the best vet for you, they’ll do a lot more. If you want the absolute best pet care, consider expanding traveling distances just a bit if needed. Of course, if you have a vet emergency, the closest one is the best choice.

The Cost Factor

Visits to the veterinarian can be expensive. Even then, vet offices that have the latest modern technology or better facilities can be more expensive. Facilities in certain higher-end areas of your town may also be more expensive than those in rural or remote locations. Consider all the aspects before laying out any money. Is it worth the extra drive if you’ve found the absolute best vet? Can your pet still get good care if you find a cheaper facility? Think of every aspect.

Vet’s Hours of Operation

Schedules get busy very quickly these days, and it can be hard to find a good time to take your pet to the vet. Ideally, you should schedule appointments ahead of time. Be sure to check their office hours, as some vets are available only during the daytime hours. Others are available on varying shifts. You may want to choose a vet office that is open on weekends or can see patients in the evening.

Other considerations might be if they are on call 24-hours or not. Can you call them if you do have an emergency? Some veterinarians also offer medical services at home. Make sure to talk to the vet about how they handle various situations and who you contact with questions or emergencies.

Ask for Referrals

One of the most effective and sure-fire ways to find the best vet in your neighborhood is to ask other pet parents. Make sure to ask them about specific experiences they’ve had with their pet’s vet. When you are looking at various facilities, you can always read the reviews, but word-of-mouth and in-person referrals are almost always more trustworthy than Google reviews.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the President and CEO for all of Pawer Lab’s operations. She takes care of the day-to-day tasks so that everything continues to run purrfectly. When she’s not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, and taking naps in a sunny windowsill.